The extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is the unincorporated land within 5 miles of Austin’s full purpose city limit not within the city limits or ETJ of another city. Austin’s ETJ currently extends into 5 counties including Williamson, Travis, Hays, Bastrop & Caldwell and is the territory where Austin alone is authorized to annex land. Annexation is the process by which cities extend their municipal services, regulations, voting privileges & taxing authority to new territory.

The ETJ represents Austin’s future tax base & municipal service area, ensuring our ability to capture our fair share of regional growth. The City has limited regulations in the ETJ where development is occurring at a rapid rate affecting the quality of life within the City. By expanding the territory subject to city ordinances, regulations and codes, annexation improves the city’s economic base and enables Austin to manage growth & development.

In accordance with the City’s annexation policies described in the Imagine Austin comprehensive plan, the City should annex areas in order to:

Apply zoning and development standards, including environmental protection

Create efficiencies in service delivery, particularly for public safety services

Maximize the return on the City’s investment in infrastructure and business incentives

Protect and expand the tax base

Provide municipal services beyond those available in rural areas

Municipal annexations must follow the procedures outlined by the Texas Local Government Code. Annexation laws and procedures were changed significantly effective December 1, 2017. Please call staff for more information.

Planned Annexations

Case C7a-2019-0001 Milky Way Drive annexation area (approximately 42 acres) is located in Travis County approximately four-tenths of a mile east of the intersection of River Place Blvd and Milky Way Drive. This area is currently in the City’s limited purpose jurisdiction in Council Districts 6 and 10 and is surrounded by the City’s full purpose jurisdiction. The proposed annexation area contains vacant land which the owner plans to subdivide and construct 45 single family homes.

Two public hearings will be held by the City Council of Austin, Texas for the Milky Way Drive annexation area. At the hearings, the City Council will hear and consider comments on issues related to the full purpose annexation of land in Travis County, Texas.

Hearing dates and location: March 28, 2019 and April 11, 2019, Council Chambers of City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas

The following areas are planned for future full purpose annexation under approved Strategic Partnership Agreements: